'Thoughts'

"Speech"

"Attack"

Natsu stirred his eyes closing tightly before he slowly opened them. "Finally awake are we?" Came the voice of Acnologia. "What's it to you?"

From his tone anyone could tell Natsu either wasn't a morning person or didn't enjoy talking with the black dragon. "We're leaving soon I'm taking you somewhere…..special" Natsu raised an eyebrow to the dragon's reply "and where would that be?" Asked Natsu a hint of curiosity within his voice. "Consider it a special training ground for that"

Acnologia hinted towards the scales on Natsu's arm that had been revealed due to the tearing of his sleeve. "My scales? You're not going to make me drink more blood are you?" As part of Natsu's training as a Dragonslayer Acnologia had introduced dragonification to him a couple of years back. Acnologia had explained to Natsu what happens when a Dragon Slayer kills too many dragons or over uses their Dragon Slaying magic.

Saying that doing so would result in the process of dragonification Natsu had originally wanted to enjoy it as it had sounded like a painful experience. However like most of Natsu's requests Acnologia denied him that and came up with a new way of starting the dragonification, a direct intake of dragon blood. Acnologia experimented on Natsu, drawing blood from his own arm whilst in his dragon form, Acnologia would force Natsu to drink from the wound.

As expected there were some side effects such as dizziness, headaches, fevers and most commonly unbelievable pain which Acnologia suspected came from the cells within the dragon blood destroying the human cells within Natsu and then replacing them. The method was much faster than expected, it usually took two years of consistent dragon slaying before a Dragonslayer began to undergo changes, it only took Natsu three months.

However there was a limit to how much blood could be taken in at once, as such Acnologia only had Natsu drink blood on every full moon allowing his body to rest and adjust to the changes caused by the blood. "No we will be going with one of the original methods."

Natsu sat upright at this "but I'm already practicing Dragon slayer magic as much as I can? How else do you expect me to…..oh." Putting two and two together Natsu realized that if he wasn't drinking more blood or using more magic that only meant one thing. "That's right. You shall live up to the title of Dragon Slayer. You are going to slay dragons."

Natsu looked towards Acnologia in awe for a few seconds before reverting back to anger, then realization dawned upon Natsu. "Wait that dragon wouldn't happen to be you right?" He asked a bit of hope in his tone, hope for revenge. Acnologia looked towards Natsu. "Fool! You couldn't slay me even if you tried!"

Natsu flicked his tongue at that, sure he knew it was true but it still got on his nerves. "Then who?! Didn't you already kill all of the dragons?" Acnologia stood up on his hind legs spreading his magnificent wings

"On this continent yes, you will not find a single dragon here perhaps on a rare occasion you could meet a Wyvern but that's the best you'll get." By the time Acnologia had finished Natsu was standing up and stretching. "Then….." He stretched, standing on his tippy-toes and stretching has arms upwards with his hands interlocked until a satisfactory pop was heard "does that mean there's a continent with dragons out there?" Asked Natsu.

Acnologia lay down on his stomach and lowered his wings signalling Natsu to get on, which he did hesitantly.

"So you can use that brain of yours, yes there exits a continent that houses dragons, their original homeland Apex." With Natsu sitting on his back Acnologia beat his wings a few times lifting his large body off the ground.

"So we're going to go there and do what?" Asked Natsu. "Not 'we' brat, you." Said Acnologia as he took off in flight, Natsu tilted his head at that and Acnologia picked up on it "I was banished from there, they put up a barrier to keep me out, but that just means I can't get in I still know where it is. As for what you'll do there that's simple. You're going to slay dragons."

Natsu choked on nothing "Isn't this their homeland!? Won't killing them make the others angry?" Acnologia chuckled "not neseccersaliy, Apex is a place full of mindless beasts, hell the only one's with common sense are the Kings and Queens, it's survival of the fittest you either live or you die."

Natsu couldn't help himself from asking one very important question after hearing that. "So why the hell do I have to go to this place, I honestly can't think of a single reason as to why I should be doing this!" Acnologia turned his head slightly so he could look Natsu in the eye. "I've told you about the dragonification process before haven't I?" Natsu slowly nodded, the pieces starting to come together.

"We are going to speed it up and by we I mean you. Since you can't fight me in this form you will fight other weaker dragons, of course as you go on you will find stronger dragons, but this should allow you to gain invaluable combat experience and more importantly strength."

Natsu, now knowing that he wouldn't be getting out of this decided to ask one more question. "So what am I going to be doing exactly?" Acnologia turned his head back towards the direction he was flying. "I told you already.

You will be slaying dragons or you will be dying." Natsu clicked his tongue at his own situation he was practically being forced into. "This is so bullshit" he said as he laid down with his hands on the back of his head.

"What happened to Mr. "I just want to destroy stuff"" muttered Natsu forgetting about the dragon's super hearing. "Watch it or Mr. "I just want to destroy stuff" might destroy you instead, now be quiet we're almost there."

Natsu did not respond he had to mentally prepare himself for anything, if what half of Acnologia said was true then he really could die.

A few minutes later Acnologia stopped flying, Natsu would have fell off were it not for his training that had honed his reflexes, he grabbed hold of the scaly back and shouted. "Hey! What's the big idea huh?! You trying to kill me?!"

Acnologia simply responded with. "Your even more foolish than I imagined, you only just figured that out?" When he finished his reply he felt a little tap on his back, which was more than likely Natsu punching him. "Look ahead, this shall be your final training ground." Natsu climbed up the dragon's back. His eyes widened in surprise at what he saw. In the distance was a large mass of land, so large Natsu was sure he was barely even seeing half of it.

Large mountains could be made out and most of the land he saw seemed barren, the only thing keeping Natsu from believing that the place was void of life were the countless specks moving around the land and sky. "Are those?" Natsu started, Acnologia answering his question almost immediately "Dragons, the most powerful creatures ever to exists, they're also your enemies, do not hesitate to kill them they certainly won't."

Acnologia expected Natsu to show some sort of expression of fear, would it stop him from taking him there? No, nothing would but it within expectations instead what the dragon got was a simple question. "What are the rules?" Acnologia was..somewhat impressed with the boy's attitude towards this 'Ha! I guess all that training is starting to show!" He thought to himself. Deciding to not leave the boy waiting for too long he answered the question.

"Hmm let's see. Rule number one: For every dragon you kill you must collect a souvenir, a scale, tooth whatever you can get." Natsu nodded his head, a movement that the dragon easily picked up on. "Rule number two: Use any means necessary, that includes the use of the Chaos Drive."

Natsu grinned madly, Natsu had never been able to use the technique after mastering it unless of course he wanted another hour of torture training by the hands of the one who had denied him use of it. "Rule number three:

When you leave that place we will enemies." Upon hearing this the boy uttered an extremely straightforward answer of "Why?" There were no hints of regret, sorrow, anger or surprise just pure curiosity. Acnologia was silent for a bit before he spoke.

"All dragons are my enemies and when you leave that place you will be a dragon." Natsu hummed in thought before realizing what that implied. "How do you know I'll become a dragon?" He asked. Acnologia flapped his wings once again, sending the duo closer to the continent. "Because otherwise you'd be dead. Only dragon's are allowed to leave apex."

Was the dragon's answer, Natsu quickly replied. "But a human can get in?" Acnologia chuckled darkly. "Well brat would you ever turn down an easy meal?" Natsu sweat dropped at the dragon's retort. 'This guy is fucking crazy.' Was Natsu's last thought before Acnologia stopped once again.

"Now what?" Questioned Natsu, being more prepared for the sudden stop this time. In reply Acnologia stretched out his arm as if to reach for something, when his claw came into contact with magical runes.

Natsu had some experience with magical runes so he was able to recognize them immediately, though something about these runes were off. "These are not normal runes, they've been written in the draconic language and are laced with their magic" explained Acnologia.

"This is as far as I go, you're on your own now kid." Before Natsu could question what the dragon was implying to do Acnologia grabbed Natsu in his claw and shot upwards. There was roughly a mile of water left between Acnologia and the land before him.

"Hey, you better not do what I think you're gonna do!" Came Natsu's voice as he struggled to get out of the grip. Acnologia cocked his arm back and threw Natsu through the barrier. Natsu yelled. "You crazy fucking dragon!." Acnologia simply watched as the boy plummeted into the depths of the ocean. "Hurry and become strong my apprentice, I shall be waiting for you."

With that Acnologia turned and left the island, returning back to the land of Ishgar.

Down in the ocean, Natsu had just surfaced and was gasping for air, he twirled his head around unsure of his location when he spotted Acnologia's figure flying away in the distance. He muttered a few insults such as. "Bullshit dragon and his bullshit wings" or "Stupid ass piece of crap dragon."

Natsu started to swim and after half an hour of muttering excuses Natsu crawled onto what he believed to be a beach whilst muttering his last insult, "frickin' ugly ass rotten breath son of a shit." Natsu rolled into his back, enjoying the feeling of lying on soft sand, sand that was getting increasingly uncomfortable and cold. Natsu shot up quickly and kicked the annoyingly wet sand away

"What the hell is this!" The sand shot up in chunks and landed a few metres away.

Natsu was panting, not from fatigue but because he was getting pissed.

He sighed, getting angry wasn't going to help his situation if anything it'd just make it a lot worse, if what Acnologia said was true he'd have to be on alert at all times. "No way in hell am I going to die here." Natsu began to turn around and noticed a large dense jungle behind him. 'When did that get there?'

He asked himself. He was pretty sure there hadn't been anything like it when he was surveying the area with Acnologia. I mean it was pretty hard to miss a big chunk of green from the sky. Fueled by curiosity Natsu began to move towards the jungle. "Well.. What's the worse that can happen."

At those words he heard a light chuckle within his mind. 'And just what's so funny to you Mr. I like to do nothing all day' Natsu's thoughts were directed to the one and only E.N.D. who just laughed. E.N.D had really mellowed out for some unknown reason. Hell if you took away the horns, wings, claws and talons E.N.D could easily pass as a reckless, cheerful idiot who had too much power than he knew what to do with.

'How the hell did the demon king turn into something so…...human.' Thought Natsu depressingly, though his description was ironic seeing as he'd never met a human before. [Maybe because I haven't had any humans to be pissed off by.] E.N.D laughed after his poor excuse for a reason.

Natsu wouldn't pry into it too much though, the less this 'guy' talked the better. 'Whatever, can you please shut up or go back to when you'd actually offer me good advice.' Natsu retorted to the all powerful demon.

Because of their link E.N.D had shared everything Acnologia hadn't. This went from languages, which because he was a demon he knew how to speak almost all the languages of the modern day and a few ancient ones as well, to the experience of killing a human. E.N.D also gave Natsu advice, though he hardly ever needed it being one of the smartest, wisest and most cunning 10 year olds to live, all thanks to hosting a demon.

Totally worth it. [Alright Natsu, listen you need to always be on your guard here, one wrong move and you'll die.] Revealed the demon. Natsu fully stopped in his tracks for two reasons, one he was stunned at what E.N.D had just said to him and two, he'd picked up movement, very, very large movement.

'I already knew that don't worry about it I'll be fine, anyways it looks like I've got company so could you shut up for five minutes?.' Thought Natsu as he surveyed his surroundings trying to look for a place where he could get an advantage. Though from the vibrations in the earth Natsu wondered if he could get an advantage from his location. While Natsu was strategizing E.N.D spoke once more. [I don't believe you will be Natsu dragons aren't creatures you can take lightly, you have to be prepared to die and prepared to kill at the same time.]

Natsu hummed the sound was growing closer by the second, no doubt something was after him. 'No way in hell am I dying here and of course I know I need to kill it's nothing new to me.' Natsu replied bluntly whilst getting in his preferred fighting stance.

[No, you've never faced of against something capable of thinking at a high level, just remember to not hesitate you have to end it as fast as possible.] By now the surrounding area was shaking violently, the enemy drew closer to the 10 year old boy. 'Alright I got it, you're just looking out for me right? Don't worry I'll make sure to end it as fast as possible.' answered Natsu, a smirk firmly planted on his face.

Black and blue magic formed on his fists and a few seconds later a massive temple like creature burst forth. It had what appeared to be a turtle shell on its back but instead of it being smooth it had multiple earthen spikes protruding from its back.

It had four short legs that let the massive beast stay somewhat low to the ground, though it's size was still that of an apartment building. It's most peculiar feature was its rectangular head that looked somewhat like a tribal mask only it was made of rock.

Natsu thrusted his fist straight into the oddly shaped head his explosive strength pushing the creature that towered over it over ten metres back. Natsu then adopted his natural stance but this time raised his left arm and made a come hither motion.

"Come get some big boy!" He taunted. The dragon responded by charging at Natsu who simply jumped into the air. The beast seemed to have predicted this as the spikes on it's back shot upwards towards Natsu. Unfortunately Natsu seemed to be more than one step ahead of the beast as he was already about to attack the moment the spikes began to move. Gathering magic energy into his mouth Natsu then released it upon the monster

"Chaos Dragon's Roar!" The beam collided with the beasts spikes shattering them before crashing into the beast itself. 'Okay first things first I need to figure out how much magic it takes to put this guy down' thought Natsu as he prepared his next attack. Natsu gathered his magical energy onto his forearm which then rose up forming an artificial arm with four talons that hovered above his arm. Natsu raised his magic above his head as he began to descend, when he got within range Natsu shouted the final incantation of the spell "Chaos Dragon's Phantom Talon!" Natsu brought the talons down onto the beast carving four gashes into it.

Blood gushed from the wounds and the beast yelled in agony. Natsu skidded through the greenery briefly before he lifted one leg up and gathered magic energy into it, the same talons that appeared on his arms appeared on his raised leg. Performing a one legged dash Natsu closed the distance between him and the beast, which in his opinion had lived too long already. "Chaos Dragon's Phantom Impalement!" Shouted Natsu as the talons broke through the beasts rock like defense.

That was when Natsu noticed it. 'These are scales! Then what I'm fighting right now is-.' He didn't get to finish his thoughts as the beast rolled over with Natsu's foot still lodged in its sides, it intended on slamming Natsu into the ground. But he had other plans, just before he hit the ground Natsu extended his arms placing them as firmly as possible onto the wet ground. He then struggled a little to push himself up into a handstand.

With his arms extended Natsu gathered his magic into his free leg, using all of the strength he could muster he kicked the beast as hard as he could. It was effective to say the least the beast soared up to at least eighty metres maybe more. Natsu let out a breath as he sprung onto his feet. "Phew. You're a heavy bastard ain'tcha."

He looked towards where the beast should be. As he did he noticed the canopy of most of the trees had been destroyed. And the clear blue sky could be seen, or at least it should've if it weren't for the now flying rock monster. 'So I was right' thought Natsu 'this thing's a fucking dragon.'

Just as Natsu confirmed his theory the dragon let out a mighty roar that shook the trees. Natsu had to cover his ears, he didn't have time to prepare himself for the wave of the sound, it looks like he'd have to fight with impaired hearing for a bit. Though that wasn't his biggest problem, no something much worse than a dragon was coming and the only thing worse than one dragon was a lot of dragon's.

Consecutive, identical roars could be heard throughout the jungle and all of them were followed by a small vibration underneath Natsu's feet. "Guess I better go a bit faster" stated Natsu as a smirk formed on his face.